March 3, 2018
Gender: EPLF and Eritrean government initiatives
Focus is given here to a description of activities concerning women’s position and the gender initiatives undertaken between the mid 1970s and 1991, firstly by the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (the EPLF) during its conflict with Ethiopia and secondly by the post-liberation governments (a transitional government between liberation in May 1991 and 1993, and the current government thereafter, once independence had been ratified. This document addresses events to early 2001).1 In many cases there is little or no documentation available regarding people’s responses to such actions during the liberation struggle; such information as exists is set out here, and consideration given to emerging issues of gender equality in the light of previous and current action by those in power. The concluding comments point out certain topics remaining to be addressed by both government and the general population (with its many interest groups and varying perceptions) if post-liberation policy is successfully to be translated into practice.
